Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
January 13, 2019.
Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord
Readings Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Responsorial Psalm
104:1B-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30;
Tit. 2:11-14; 3:4-7 & Gospel Luke
3:15-16, 21-22.
Theme: My Favour Rests On You!
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, today, the Church celebrates the
Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord. With the Baptism of the Lord ends
Christmastide - that is, the Christmas season. Our reflection shall highlight
the meaning of baptism, the types of baptism, the necessity of infant baptism
and pastoral application.
Background & Summary of the
Readings
The first reading (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11) reveals the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the
Messiah. It calls the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prepare a way for the Lord
and make his paths straight. It demands that the people fill every valley and
lay low every mountain and cliff. It assures that if that is done, the glory of
the Lord will be manifest because the mouth of the Lord has said it.
The second reading (Tit. 2:11-14; 3:4-7) invites the faithful to give up everything
that does not lead to God. It cautions about worldly ambition and notes that we
must exercise self-restrain even as we live good lives here while awaiting the
appearing of the world to come. It maintains that we imitate Christ who
sacrificed himself to set us free from all wickedness and to purify us for
himself to have no ambition but to please him.
The gospel recounts (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22) the feeling of expectancy that grew among the
people who were beginning to take John as the Christ. It also reveals the
humility of John who told the people that someone greater than he was coming
who would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire. It further discloses how
the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus upon his baptism and the voice of the father
which said: “You are my Son, the beloved; my favour rests on you.”
Meaning
of Baptism
According to the Penny Catechism, “Baptism is a
sacrament which washes away original sin, makes us children of God and members
of the Church." Notice that three things are at stake in this definition:
1. First, the fact that the sacrament cleanses us from
the sin of Adam and Eve which every human being incurred except the Blessed
Virgin Mary because she was immaculately conceived and prepared to be the
worthy mother of the Saviour - To claim she had the original sin means that
Christ shared that sin which is blasphemous. So baptism takes care of that sin.
2. Second, it makes us children of God confident to
call him our Father. It is not as if we were children of the devil. The point
is, because of the inborn vestiges of original sin, the unbaptised person
doesn't enjoy the fullness of adoption and incorporation into Christ such that
he/she can confidently address God as "Abba Father." The sacrament of
baptism gives us that privilege.
3. Third, baptism makes us members of the Church. Town
unions’ members in every society register their members. Just so, Christians
admit followers into the flock through the sacrament of baptism. This gives
them full rights and privileges as sons and daughters of the Church. As such, by the virtue of baptism, Christians
share in the Common Priesthood of Christ.
